Apparatus for coding and decoding.



s. M. KINTNER. APPARATUS FOR CODING AND DECODING.

APPLICATION FILED JAN-12,1912.

Patented Jan. 2,1917.

5 SHEETSSHEET l.

. WWW

S. M. KINTNER.

AFPARAYUS FOR comma AND DECODING.

APPLLCATION FILED JAN-l2. 1912.

Patented Jan. 2, 1917,

5 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

Mar/anion r S. M. KiNTNER.

APPARATUS FOR comma AND DECODING.

APPLICATION FILED JAN-12.1912.

S. M. KINTNER.

APPARATUS FOR CODING AND DECODING.

APPLICATION FILED IAN-12,1912.

Patented Jan. 2, 1917.

5 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

in asses: 21 Md;

S. M. KiNTNER.

APPARATUS FOR CODING AND DECODING.

APPLICATION FILED JAN. 12, 19.12.

Lfi10fi56. Patented Jan. l7.

5 SHEETS-SH SAMUEL M. KINTNER, 0F PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA.

AZPPABATUS FOR CODING AND DECODING.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Jan. 2, 1917..

Application filed January 12, 1912. Serial No. 670,842.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, SAMUEL M. KINTNER, acitizen of the United States, residing at Pittsburgh, in the county ofAllegheny and State of Pennsylvania, have invented a certain new anduseful Improvement in Apparatus for Coding and Decoding, of which thefollowing is a specification.

My invention relates to the art of transmitting messages in cipher andespecially to apparatus for making a cipher by transposition of symbolsor spaces and deciphering the message by restoring the symbols to properrelative position.

More specifically, the object is to provide efficient mechanism totranspose an intelligible message into a non-intelligible one, in theact of writing the same on a machine, and then by changing a certainintermediate device between the keys and the printing mechanism toretranspose the message into intelligible form. The device determiningthe character of a code is one capable of innumerable changes, while atthe same time the deciphering is all automatic and requires no mentaleffort.

Another object of my invention is to proride for simultaneously making acopy both of the message in direct form and of the message in modifiedor coded form, and likewise in decoding the machine produces a copy ofboth the codedmessage and the rectified or decoded message. By the useof the intermediate mechanism, which controls the relation of the keysto the printing type, I avoid the necessity of having various sets oftype.

The coding of messages may be accomplished by false spelling, preferablythe substitution of another letter for the correct one, so that themessage as sent and received I is undecipherable except through themeans employed in carrying out the invention. It is preferable that themessage to be sent shall be first written in the ordinary way, on amechanical writing machine, which, how'- ever, is attached to a machinewhich simultancously reproduces the message in code. This may be donewith a single machine having the ordinary key-board and transposingmechanism, but I preferably employ an assembled equipment embodying twinmachines. one for writing the message directly in the usual way inintelligible form, the other cooperating therewith and simultaneouslytransmitting the message into coded or unintelligible form. It may besent to the receiver by any of the usual ways,i. e., by mail, messenger,telegraph, aerogram, etc.

The substitution of the characters may be accomplished by such amechanism as will spell the words of the intelligible message insubstituted characters, by the operation of a keyboard similar to thatof an ordinary typewriter, either with a single or duplex machine. Thede-coding of the message is accomplished at the receiving end by meansof a similar machine, so arranged and controlled by transmutingmechanism as to reverse the code of the sending machine, reproduce theoriginal characters in their original order, by the manipulation of thekeys of the receiving or de-coding instrument, the operator writing thecode message as received, while the instrument reproduces thetranslation of it.

In the illustrated embodiment of the invention I have shown apparatuswhichis both controlled and actuated electrically; but it willbeunderstood that the invention is not limited thereto; as the keys uponwhich the operato. manually writes the message may, by the ordinarymechanical means, write the true co y which is to be coded, or decodedas the case may be, whereas the type bars, Whose operation prints thecoded message, may be operated by compressed-air, gas, steam or evenmechanical forces, though the action of the compressed-air, gas, steamor mechanical force is controlled electrically.

Generally stated, therefore, the invention comprises a mechanism whichwill during writing, at once transmute the message into code at thesending station, and will translate the coded message into the originalmes sage at the receiving station. also the use of apparatus such as isshown in the accompanying drawings, for changing the code at will,through a commutating mechanism, capable of a practically unlimitednumber of available combinations and permutations.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a diagram representing an ordinary writingmachine combined with an electrically controlled writing machine, and acommutator, arranged for the purposes of my invention. Fig. 2 is adiagram showing electric connections between the operating key-board ofthe controlled machine and the devices for operating the type keysthereof, together It involves with the intervening commutator. Fig. 3 isa partial sectional view showing an example of a controlled machine withan available arrangement of commutator and type keyactuating-mechanism.Fig. 4 is a plan view of the commutator. Fig. 5 is a diagram showing inplan, another form of commutator with a sample of wiring connections.Fig. 6 is a partial section on the line (6) (.6) of Fig. 5, showing theapplication of the adjustable commutator contact on the base of themachine. commutator base 14 of Fig. 6. Fig. 8 is a wiring arrangementfor the commutator in Fig. 4.

I shall first describe the embodiment of the invention which I prefer,i. e., an apparatus comprising two connected machines, either for codlngor de-coding, inasmuch as such a machine enables the operator tocheckthe writing by making simultaneously, in one operation, an ordinary copyand a coded copy. This enables the correction of mistakes and theprinting of the message for record in both forms, at once.

The transmitting writing machine A,

illustrated at the left side of Fig. 1, may be any ordinary writingmachine. It is here shown as a typewriter, having a platen roll 9, abank of type bars 10 each provided with a character corresponding tothose of the keys 11 of the key-board. The transmuting machine A, shownat the right of Fig. 1, is of the same general construction, having aplaten 9 and a bank of type bars 10, like those at 10 in the othermachine, but

operated by electric mechanism to actuate its type bars, such mechanismbeing controlled by a commutator C, hereinafter described. The platenrolls 9 and 9 of the two machines are connected to have the samemovements both in revolving and lateral shifting, by means of universaljoint D.

Referring more particularly to Fig. 3, it will be understood that uponpressing down the key 11 of the machine A, it makes a contact 12 on thewiring between the battery B and the lead 12 to the transmuting machineshown in Fig. 3. This lead 12 ends at a particular contact 13 (hereshown as a mercury contact), set in the contact base 14 of thetransmuting machine.

By means of the commutator C, the circuit is made through a pin 15therein and wire 16 to a second pin 15 and contact 13' in the contact"disk 14, from whence by wire 17 the'current passes through a solenoid18 and by lifting the core 19 thereof causes the latter to strike thepin 20 which operates the type bar 10 of the transmuting machine.

Thus the movement of the .key 11 results in striking the paper on platen9 with a particular character whose identity depends upon the positionof the coding commutator O, and the particular commu- Fig. 7 is a planview of the The shifting of does not require the duplicate machine, for,

when it is not desired to check the operator, the message may be writtendirectly in "coded form from the copy. For example, as

shown in Fig. 2, the keys on key-board 11 connect directly with thecorresponding contacts 13' on the commutator C and these are shown asconnecting by wires 16 with the contacts 13 and the leads 17 go directlyto solenoids operating the type bars 10 By this 'means the operator, forexample, strikes the key of character 2 and the machine writes thecharacter 5, in the illustration.

A commutator such as above referred to is shown in detail in Figs. 5, 6and 7. The base of the machine carries a plate 14 in which are set thecontact cups 13 and 13 eac containingmercury, and on a center pin 14 inthis plate the commutator C is mounted. This commutator is made upof'three disks fastened together by screws and thereby sealing in thewiring 16 which is shown in'plan view in Fig. 5. It will be observedthat this commutator has two sets.of connected together in differentpositions of the commutator as Well as by reversing its position on theplate 14. Such wiring may be arranged to secure an almost indefinitenumber of combinations, and in Fig. 8, I have shown a diagram of thecommutator indicating one of the various arrangements that may be used.The several -wires 16 thus place in series, through the commutator, theseveral key switches12 of keys 11 with the several solenoids 18 of typebars 10, and the particular solenoid actuated depends on the setting ofthe commutator. To illustrate, the word Navy, ifwritten by using thekeys 11 of the key-board as arranged in.

Fig. 2, and with the commutator setting of Fig. 8, would be reproducedby the solenoid actuated type bars '10, as coded, Vuja. On the otherhand, when the coded word is written on the translating tact pins 15 and15 on each side, and it will be understood that the wiring is soarranged that different pairs of the cups 13 are contator so arrangedthat it can be shifted angularly by definite amounts. If use is made ofboth sides of the commutating disk or plate double that number of codescan be secured. For larger number of codes use can be made of two ormore sets of commutating mechanisms connected in series as that gives agreatly increased number, such as 20 times 19 with single disks similarto those indicated above.

The commutator being capable bf being set to any predetermined system orschedule by proper position-identifying marks as I, II, III, IV, V, VI,VII, and VIII on the base and an arrow point on the disk, (Fig. 5)adapted to positively locate it at any desired position on the base, itwill be clear that the schedule may be changed each day for a differentcode, as may be agreed upon between the sending and receiving stations.

It is not necessary that the communtator'be arranged as shown in thediagram, as many modifications may be devised in arrangement which willinsure the connections to be 'definitelyestablished according to adesigned system and which can beemployed in the reverse relation at thede-coding station. Thus in general the various combinations that can beefiected will be secured by mounting contacts that will close thecircuit between the various contact indicating circles bearing symbolswith those bearing prime symbols, upon an insulated form which can begiven a certain title as a number or letter which will positivelyidentify everypossible position.

It will be noted that by my mechanism I may employ any ordinarytypewriting machine and that but one set of type for each machineis'necessary; also that the number of automatic codes that maybeemployed is without limit and that the law of the code need not beknown to the operator and that both in coding and decoding the operatormay have a complete and immediate check upon his work.

WhatIclaimis:-

1. A coding and decoding mechanism comprising a key-board and a printingmechanism, circuit makers provided each with two sets of difi'eringcontacts, electric means for operating the type bars of the printingmachine, an electric contact member for each bar adapted to coact with.the circuit maker, and keys on the board for establishing acircuit'including the circuit maker and the'said electrical operatingmeans for the type bar.

2. A coding and decoding mechanism, comprising a keyboard and aplurality of printing devices, an operating mechanism for each saiddevice, a circuit controlled by each key of the keyboard and arranged tocontrol one of said operating mechanisms,

and a circuit maker which includes a portion of each of said circuitsand is provided with circuit completing contacts arranged according to apredetermined schedule, said circuit maker being adjustable to' variouspositions for changing the operating mechanisms controlled by theseveral keys.

3. A coding and decoding mechanism,

comprising a keyboard and two sets of print ing mechanisms, one actuateddirectly from the keyboard and the other through a circuit maker havinga set of contacts arranged according to a predetermined schedule, elec-.tric means for controlling actuation of the type bars of the secondprinting mechanism, an electric contact member for each type bar adaptedto co-act with a contact of the circuit maker, and keys on theboard forestablishing a circuit including the circuit' a contact of the circuitmaker, and keys on the board for establishing a circuit. including thecircuit maker and said electric control means. the particular code thatis employed for 5. A coding and decoding mechanism, comprising akeyboard and a printing mechanism, a circuit maker having two sets ofcontacts arranged according to a predetermined schedule, one setdifiering from the other and being reversely arranged so as to reversethe operation of the other, electric means for controlling actuation oftype bars of the printing mechanism, an electric contact member for eachbar adapted to coact with'thecontact'of the circuit maker,

electric control means.

.6. A coding and decoding mechanism, comprising a keyboard and aprinting mechanism, a plurality of interchangeable circuit makers eachhaving a set of contacts arranged according to a predeterminedschedu1e,"the' contacts on the several circuit makers being diverselyarranged to secure different codes, electric means for controllingactuation of the type bars of the printing mechanism, an electriccontact member for each bar adapted to co-act with a contact of thecircuit maker, and keys-on the board for establishing a circuitincluding the circuit maker and said electric control means.

7. 'A coding and decoding mechanism comprising a keyboard and aplurality of and keys on the board for establishing a circuit includingthe circuit maker and said printing devices,' an operating mechanism foreach said devlce, a circuit controlled by each key ,of the keyboardand'arranged to control one of said operating mechanisms,

a circuit maker which includes a portion of each of said circuits and isprovided with circuit completing contacts arranged according to apredetermined schedule, a second set of printing devices, and mechanicaloperating connections for said devices controlled by the keys of thekeyboard.

coding and decoding mechanism,

comprising a'keyboard and aplurality of printing devices, )an operatingmechanism for. each said device, acircuit controlled by each key of thekeyboard and arrangedito vcontrol zone of said operating mechanisms,

a circuit maker which includes a portion of each of said circuits and-isprovided with circuit completing contacts arranged accord ing to apredetermined schedule, said circuit maker-being adjustable to .variouspositions for changing the operating-mechanisms controlled by'theseveral keys, a second set of printing devices, and mechanical operatingconnections for said devices controlled by the keys of the keyboard.

comprising a keyboard and a printing mech-- amsm, a clrcult maker havinga set of con- 9. A coding and decoding mechanism,

tacts arranged according to a predetermined "schedule, electric meansfor controlling actuationor the type bars of the printing mechanism, .anelectric contact member for each bar adapted to co-act with a contact ofthe circuit maker, keys on the board for establishing a'circuitincluding the circuit maker and said electric control means, a

second printing mechanism, and mechanical I operatlng connectionsbetween sald keys and the type bars of the second printing mechan1sm..-I i '10. A coding andklecodingmechanism,

' comprising akeyboard and a prlnting mechanism, a circuit maker havingtwo sets of to a predetermined schedule, one set di ering from thecontacts arranged accordin other, electric means for controllingactuation of the type bars of the printing mech-.v -anism, an electriccontact member for each bar adapted to co-act a. contact of the Icircuit maker, keys on the board for establishing a circuitincluding thecircuitma'ker and said electric control means, a second printingmechanism and mechanical operat- 1 ing connections between said keys andthe type bars of the second printing mechanism. 11. A coding anddecoding -mechanism,'

comprising a keyboard and a printing mechanism, a circuit maker havingtwo sets of contacts arranged accordm to a predeterminedschedule, oneset di ering from the other and being reversely arranged so as toreverse the operation of the other, electric means for controllingactuationof the printing mechanism, an electric contact member 'for eachkey of said keyboard. adapted to co-act with a contact connected to thecontact of the circuit maker, keys on the board .for establishing acircuit including the circuit makep and said electric control means,

makers being. diversely arrangedto secure difl'erent codes,e1ectricmeans for controlling actuation of the type bars of the printingmechanism, an electric contact member for each bar adapted to co-actwith a contact of the circuit maker, keys on the board for.

establishing a circuit includi'ngthe circuit maker and said electriccontrol means, asecond pr nting nechamsm, and mechamcal operatmgconnections between the sad keys mechanism.

I In testimony whereof I hereuntoaflix my Y signature in the presenceoftwo witnesses.

' SAMUEL M. KINTNER. Witnesses: e 2 'C. M. CLARKE, FREDK sTAUB.

-'and the typebars of the second printing"

